Newcastle sign Brazil midfielder Guimaraes from Lyon

Newcastle on Sunday announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee said to be around £40 million ($54 million).
Guimaraes, 24, is head coach Eddie Howe’s third signing of the transfer window since the arrivals of England international Kieran Tripier and New Zealand international Chris Wood.

“Bruno is a very interesting talent and he is one of our main targets, so I am delighted to bring him in,” Howe said.

“He immediately strengthened the band, ready for the challenge ahead. He is one of the greatest artists in France and a full international for Brazil.”

The defensive midfielder’s transfer fee is reported to be €40m (£33m) plus a further €8m in allowances.

Newcastle are also reported to have agreed a fee for defender Dan Byrne with Brighton, which is estimated to be around £13m (€15.6m).

The Magpies are flexing their financial muscle under new ownership led by Saudi Arabia in a bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The club, who made a training trip to Saudi Arabia last week, have won just two league games this season and are in the relegation zone but safe from just one point.

They meet fellow Everton in their next match in the Premier League on 8 February.

Howe said on Friday that the club would remain active until the January transfer window.

“We are working hard to improve the team,” he said. “Our biggest goal is to give the team the best chance to defend.”